Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint were each given the opportunity of a lifetime when they were cast as the three main characters in the film adaptations of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series--a YA franchise that rivals the popularity of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight. Portraying Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley changed their lives forever, launching their careers in the film business and making them household names. The experience also brought them together as friends, since they were spending so much time together and all under the same intense filming schedules and media scrutiny.Despite being close friends on set (and sharing the experience of being some of the highest-paid of the Harry Potter actors), the starring trio didn’t always hang out when the cameras weren’t rolling. Though over the years there have been reports of on-set feuds between the cast members, the real reason for this is a lot more simple than you might think. Keep reading to find out why the stars didn’t get together that often when they weren’t at work.
The Golden Friendship
Filmed over nearly a decade, the Harry Potter film adaptations were an amazing but gruelling experience for the young actors involved. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint may not have hung out outside of work, but they did develop a genuine friendship on the set of the movies, mirroring the relationship of their characters, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley.
While the three weren’t brought together by magic in real life, they did find unity in their unique experience of being part of the Harry Potter movies. In an interview with Esquire, Grint revealed that the experience helped them to relate to each other and develop a bond. “It was a very unique experience that we all went through. And no one really understands it and can relate to it but us. Almost kind of like astronauts,” he said (via Cinema Blend). "Kind of a weird experiment, I think.”
Watson, in particular, understood the importance of the friendship of the three main characters, revealing in an interview (via Cheat Sheet), “In the last book, they’ve left Hogwarts, and they’re traveling around together. It feels right that it started with the three of us and it’s ending with the three of us. It’s about our friendship.”
The Reality Of Life On Set
The experience of life on the Harry Potter set was particularly powerful at bringing the three main actors together because it was so challenging. While detailing her schedule, Watson revealed that she was picked up each morning at 5:45 a.m..
The last two films of the franchise were filmed at the same time, which was an especially tough process for the actors. “I’m trying to do all of my scenes now and through the summer so I’ll be available for university come September,” Watson explained at the time (via Cheat Sheet). Though it already looks like I’ll be working on Christmas and March breaks.”
The Need For Time Apart
Despite their friendship, the starring trio didn’t feel the need to hang out when they weren’t working for one simple reason: they needed a break from each other.
“To be honest, we see so much of each other when we’re working that hanging out together would be overload,” Watson admitted (via Cheat Sheet). “I love them, but I need to see other friends off set. They’re like my siblings now.”
Despite what some media outlets reported, there was never a feud or bad blood between the actors; they were just seeing so much of each other already that they needed to reserve their spare time for other people. Totally understandable!
They’re Still In Touch
Though the Harry Potter movies wrapped some time ago, the three main actors are still in touch and on good terms. In an interview on The Today Show, Daniel Radcliffe told the hosts that he had recently texted former co-star Rupert Grint to congratulate him on the birth of his first baby in May 2020. He revealed that he is “genuinely just so happy” for Grint. “He is going to be an awesome dad.”
“I mean that is still wild to me that we are now at the stage where we are having kids and I'm sure that is a fact that makes the rest of the world feel very old,' he said (via The Daily Mail).
Rupert Grint Would Be Down For A Reunion
With the starring trio on such good terms, would a reunion be on the cards? Speaking to Esquire, Rupert Grint revealed that he would be down for a reunion on the condition that Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe also returned to reprise their roles.
“... I mean, never say never,” he said of a possible reunion. “It would only be if everyone else wants to do the same. But yeah, no … I think just leave it.”
Unfortunately, Daniel Radcliffe has made it clear that he's done playing Harry Potter.
The Friendship Between Tom Felton And Emma Watson
Though the three main stars did develop a special bond because of their unique experience, they were also on great terms with the rest of the cast too. In particular, Emma Watson and Tom Felton became and remained friends throughout filming and beyond.
“Lovely Emma. We do see each other quite a lot actually,” Felton revealed in an interview with Us Weekly. “We just don’t always post pictures about it.”